Carpal Tunnel symptoms, not CTS

[Traci65]

I have numbness in my hands and fingers, as well as, aching and weakness. Last May I had an EMG done and the neurologist diagnosed mild Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The symptoms have worsened, however I just returned from an appointment with a hand surgeon and according to the results of another EMG performed in his office today I am only borderline CTS.  Within the last week or so I have developed shoulder pain and fatigue in the entire left arm.  The hand surgeon suggested I see a rheumatologist to rule out rheumatoid arthritis.  He also took x-rays of both hands for me to take with me to the rheumatologist, however, he noted there was no arthritic change in the hands.  Any suggestions what could be causing this numbness and pain?  I have hypothyroidism and also get headaches at the base of my skull at least two to three times a month.  The headaches used to be within days of menstruation so I chalked them up to hormonal.  In addition, when I bend over at the waist I have difficulty straightening up.  Could all this be a back problem, or is it likely unrelated?  I'm just looking for suggestions that I can research online and follow-up with my doctor.  Will answer any questions regarding symptoms if it will help.

[don19]

just posted on page 1 with arm pain this may be of help to you as well

                     don

[Brandy4]

I was diagnosed with RA at 23 and am now 50.  The symptoms are lots of pain in your joints, fatigue, numbness, irritabiltiy and swelling, I suggest you go to a rhuematologist and ask for a RA panel blood test.

[zeezee32]

U describe exactly what I am going through. I jsut had a complete bone scan done last week I will let u know if it shows anything.

[star queen]

Have a neck xray done to see if there are any problems there.  If not, see a chirpractor to get you neck manipulated.  There is a spinal nerve in the neck that, if pinched, causes numbness and pain all the way down from the shoulder to the fingers.  Oddly enough, the neck doesn't always get stiff or painful.

[leftjersey]

I have had carpal tunnel symptoms on and off for 10 yrs.  If I hadn't found a great massage therapist I would have been out of work with my hands.  I truly suggest you get therapy from a highly recommended massage therapist.  If your neck is tight it will go all the way down to your fingers.

[pam ella]

Of individuals with hypothyroidism, 30-80% manifest neuromuscular symptoms, depending on the severity of hypothyroidism. Weakness is observed in one third of patients with hypothyroidism. CTS, although not part of the myopathy, is a peripheral nerve dysfunction found in 15-30% of patients with hypothyroidism.
Taken from~http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic57.htm#target1

[myproblem]

Rheumatoid arthritis should show on an x-ray because it is a deforming arthritis. There are other forms of arthritis that are non-deforming though, such as lupus. I agree that you should see a rheumatologist. You should get a complete autoimmune panel of blood tests to rule out the many different autoimmune diseases that can cause this type of pain and weakness. Here is a link to a list of 80 autoimmune diseases. Look at any of them that sound like a posibility, and see if they sound like you. Good Luck.
http://www.aarda.org/patient_information.php